Three years ago this week I departed on the trip of a lifetime, my three months of studying abroad in Europe. I wrote a letter to my former self in reflection of that incredible experience. And it was a great excuse to share some of my favorite pictures :) Dear Girl Before the Trip, Welcome to some of the most growing, challenging, confusing, stretching, funny, amazing months of your life. You have the big backpack, a new camera, and suitcases stuffed with sensible clothes (you'll buy new ones, because black is boring and then eventually everything in your suitcase will be boring ). You have a Skype phone number. You've sat through endless meetings and read all of the materials. You're ready. At least you think you are. As much as you've listened and read, you are still clueless about the trains. When you arrive, you'll follow the herd and think that navigating public transportation with signs posted in other languages is hopeless. You'll ...